Pelham Elementary School will be accepting school choice students for the 2021-2022 school year. Please see the flyer for additional details.
2021-2022 School Choice Application
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SEPAC - Special Education Parent Advisory Council
2020-2021 Events and Meetings
2019-2020 Events and Meetings
Current Happenings
Our next BOARD MEETING will be:
Thursday, March 4, 2021, 6:30pm-8:00pm
Join with Google Meet using the link: https://meet.google.com/dhy-wywm-rwd or or by phone: 617-675-4444 PIN: 909 286 087 0262#
At this meeting we plan to discuss the 2021-22 school year budget and its impacts on special education programming, how the “side letters” to the Memorandum of Understanding between the APEA and the district will impact in-person learning for special education students, and how community COVID spread is impacting in-home services.
Please consider sending us a note at sepac@arps.org to be read as public comment at Thursday’s meeting if you can’t join us. Please indicate in your note if you would like your message to be presented at the public meeting as anonymous.
Our next Event will be:
VER DETALLES DE ESTE TALLER SOBRE EL SEGURO DE AUTISMO
Wednesday, March 10, 6:30-8:30pm
With guest speaker Terri Farrell, Project Director at the Autism Insurance Resource Center
Stars to Special Education Nominations:
We are now taking NOMINATIONS FOR STARS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION!! The Recognition of Excellence in Special Education is an important way for the community to thank those who through dedication, creativity, patience, and determination help students receiving special education experience success. Nominees are open to all people - any staff, student or community member who have made a meaningful impact on students in Special Education. If you know of a person who you think should be recognized with an award for their work, please submit a nomination by Friday, March 12th, 2021. Share this flyer!
We will not be able to hold an event to recognize our stars this year, but all persons nominated will receive a letter of recognition and a small token of appreciation.
Other Information:
November’s event was a well attended workshop by ARPS’s Transition Specialist, Crystal Cartwright. If you were unable to attend, you can view a recording of the talk here and view the slides here.
At our November meeting, Sarah Weirich presented the full results of SEPAC’s September COVID Impacts Survey of IEP families. You can find the results of the survey here, and a recording of the presentation here.
What is SEPAC?
The Special Education Parent Advisory Council is a volunteer organization of families of children with disabilities in Pelham Elementary, Amherst Elementary, and Amherst Regional Schools as well as students out of district. We are federally mandated to exist under Massachusetts Special Education Law and are charged with: “advising the district on matters that pertain to the education and safety of students with disabilities, meeting regularly with school officials to participate in the planning, development, and evaluation of the school district’s special education programs. ”603 CMR 28:07(4)
Our 2020-2021 Board Members:
Catherine Lodge, Co-President
Heather Sheldon, Co-President
Vacant, Vice-President
Sarah Weirich, Secretary
Vacant, Treasurer
Who are members of SEPAC?
Parents and/or guardians of children who receive any type of special education services or accommodations in school, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a 504 accommodation or an out-of-district placement.
Families who think their child may have some learning issues or differences and/or would like to understand or have an interest in special education.
Educators and any other member of the community who want to learn more!
Ways to contact us:
Email: sepac@arps.org
Facebook: Arps Sepac
